Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has many cleansing balms, including several on this list. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.

If you are wondering what cleanser does for your face and if you should use it, here’s what you should know: Facial cleansers help remove make-up, oil, dirt and pollution from your skin to reveal a brighter, more refreshed complexion. They are an essential product to use in your face cleaning routine. Don’t forget that water resistant make-up may require extra cleansing beforehand. This cleansing balm is incredibly well-loved in the beauty community, and its popularity is absolutely justified. The most notable thing about it is its heavenly texture—it’s like a hybrid of a solid balm and a cream, making it both pillowy soft, and workable. It’s formulated with a blend of nine different hydrating oils, ensuring that it won’t strip the skin of moisture as it does its job. Olay has been innovating in the world of skincare products for over 60 years. The first bottle of Oil of Olay was a gift from a former chemist to his wife, and since then Olay has expanded to a whole range of beauty solutions for daily skincare. Olay’s approach to developing skincare is led by science. They examine thousands of potential ingredients before selecting the best performing 1 per cent, including hero ingredients – vitamin B3 (aka niacinamide), retinol, peptides, and SPF. Based on testing with thousands of women, all four feature in Olay’s active formulas. Olay’s skin experts can now provide a live one-to-one virtual consultation over a video call.Cleansing balms tend to be much more hydrating and gentler on the skin than other cleansing formulations such as gels.

After researching highly-rated options, we selected nearly two dozen to take home and use over the course of two weeks. Once we read the manufacturer's instructions, we used the products as directed to remove makeup, SPF, and dirt at the end of the day. For the purpose of this test, we did not follow up with another cleanser as part of a double cleansing routine, although this is often recommended. After using their cleansing balm, each tester evaluated and rated it based on consistency, oiliness, hydration, cleansing ability, and appearance, and those that scored highest appear on this list. Made from a blend of oils, they transform upon application on the skin, helping to break down makeup, impurities and sunscreen without irritating the skin or making it feel uncomfortable. Why It's Worth It: Contrary to popular belief, those with sensitive skin — especially those who don't tolerate chemical exfoliants as well — can indulge in daily use of skin-care acids. Spiked with gluconolactone, a common type of polyhydroxy acid (or PHA) that exfoliates while not penetrating as deeply as their AHA and BHA cousins, Hanskin's Pore Cleansing Balm PHA is a good fit for all skin types. Even people who experience conditions like eczema or atopic rosacea are good fits since PHAs exfoliate, draw in moisture, and offer comparatively less irritation and photosensitivity. When you're looking for a cleansing balm to add to your lineup, Dr. Chimento likes ones with coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, ginger root oil, and manuka honey. All of these are extra moisturizing and helpful for breaking down stubborn makeup. You can also seek balms that help with collagen stimulation and brightening by looking for those containing vitamin C. It effectively removes makeup, SPF, and grease, and we loved how seamlessly it transitioned from a balm to an oil to a milky consistency—it made using it foolproof. Because the formula isn’t overly oily, isn’t dry and crumbly, and doesn’t contain exfoliating acids, it’s a great choice regardless of your skin type. It’s effective and soothing, and the formula feels luxurious thanks to the gorgeous texture, but it is quite pricey compared to other similar options on the market, which is why we're naming it our runner-up.Is there anything better than a skincare product that multitasks? Honestly...no. Even though countless products work hard to provide multiple benefits, cleansing balms are a one-stop-shop. They cleanse, moisturize, remove makeup, residue, and anything leftover on your face from your day. These balms are also low maintenance, in the sense that you can use them without water, and additional cleansers in your routine.

Cleansing balms are becoming more and more popular thanks to their wonderfully deep-cleansing yet hydrating properties. Discover our edit of the best cleansing balms below, as well as some top application tips. What is a cleansing balm? The first thing to do is always remove any make-up. Opt for a micellar water or oil based make-up remover before cleansing to remove the days’ make-up. Looking for a convenient, affordable cleansing balm that you can find at most drugstores? Try this one. It has a lightweight, smooth consistency that’s formulated with vitamin E to nourish the skin while working to melt away makeup and grime. Contrary to what you might think, those of us with oily skin found that the balm actually helped to balance the skin despite its oily consistency, — removing the excess oil without causing dryness or a tight sensation. Cleansing and makeup removal are likely the most tedious steps in your skincare routine—but find a great cleansing balm, and suddenly you’ll trade several minutes of harsh scrubbing for just a moment of gentle cleansing. Yep, you heard that right—you can combine two steps in one (kind of), to painlessly remove a day’s worth of makeup and grime.During the night your skin’s ability to repair itself is more active compared to the day. A night cream containing retinol, is can help to boost skin recovery when skin is more receptive to active ingredients, helping counterbalance the increase in moisture loss while you sleep. Though we adored the consistency of this popular cleansing balm, we found that it left those with dry and combo skin feeling a bit dry and stripped.